Zoe Dickson’s dedication to improving sector sees her scoop major award
Playing a crucial role in enhancing professional development opportunities for other young professionals in the building automation sector, SSE Energy Solutions’ Project Sales Engineer, Zoe Dickson, was the deserving winner of this year’s Building Controls Industry Association’s (BCIA’s) Young Engineer of the Year award.
Zoe fought off strong competition from other incredibly talented industry professionals from across the building energy management systems (BEMS) sector to win the award – presented at the 2025 awards ceremony at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on 1st May.
The Young Engineer of the Year award identifies individuals, aged 35 years or under, who best demonstrate the achievements gained through successful participation in the BCIA Technical Training Programme and other building automation educational programmes. It also recognises the value of training to the sector and highlights the importance of continual professional development by honouring those who have displayed a significant advancement in their BEMS career.
With that in mind, Zoe was an incredibly worthy recipient of the award.
The entry
Zoe started her career in the building automation industry just three years ago, participating in SSE Engineering’s graduate scheme in 2022. Highlighting her incredible drive and passion for smart buildings, Zoe completed the two-year programme in just 18 months - this was a great achievement.
Excelling in all sales, technical, safety, and commercial training, Zoe shadowed and assisted senior BEMS engineering colleagues in maintenance support, project design, installation and commissioning, and estimating.
Consequently, Zoe has successfully progressed into a permanent role as a Project Sales Engineer, where she utilises her articulation and presentation skills to full effect. Additionally, by engaging with energy managers, consultants, mechanical and electrical specialists, principal contractors and end clients, Zoe acts as a true all-round ambassador for the building automation industry.
Zoe is taking a key role in increasing the quality of BMS specifications, increasing consultants’ engagement with controls specialists earlier in the RIBA stages, and preventing building controls being ‘value engineered’ out of projects.
She also serves as the key speaker and host on numerous local and national networking and educational events, where she shares her expertise and knowledge with peers, clients, students, and potential partners while superbly representing the BCIA and SSE Energy Solutions. Zoe is also actively involved in the Building Controls Industry Association’s Young Engineers Network, where she regularly contributes to discussions, participates in events, and helps champion the voice of early-career professionals in the sector. Her proactive engagement and willingness to support her peers has made her a valued and respected member of the group, further demonstrating her commitment to developing the next generation of building controls engineers.
Steve Loughney, who nominated Zoe, praised her communication and engagement with others. He said: “Meeting Zoe, it’s hard to believe she’s just started her career. Her confidence and forward-thinking approach rival those with years of experience.
“Zoe’s drive to learn and connect with industry peers makes her highly effective in supporting groups, delivering talks, and addressing key issues. She is incredibly self-driven which has led her to be actively involved in many groups.
“This comes from a personal commitment to help the controls industry to drive forward on various topics, e.g. young people and women in engineering. I genuinely believe that Zoe is one of a few key younger people today who will help to shape the future of the industry.”
Why they won
Playing a key role in the creation of a new student membership level for the BCIA to help represent the thoughts of younger members, as well as proactively contributing to the development of the BCM00 training module, Zoe perfectly illustrated the value of training and the importance of continuous professional development.
With a sheer determination to better the sector and drive real change, Zoe was also the youngest participant on the BCIA’s Inspired Leadership course. Additionally, the Project Sales Engineer has authored blogs on both the CIBSE and SSE Energy Solutions websites, helping to raise the profile and awareness of the BEMS industry.
Her day-to-day work also sees her raising the profile of the sector to consultants to help emphasise the importance of BEMS in building performance and sustainability. This is absolutely crucial given the government’s target of net zero by 2050.
Zoe’s role requires her to work closely with many different teams within the business, ranging from operations to technical, procurement, and commercial. Her confidence and presence when managing clients has seen her receive consistently positive feedback and she is trusted to deliver high quality work. So much so that it is often assumed she has been in the industry far longer than she has.
Furthermore, Zoe is recognised internally for challenging the norm and encouraging innovative thinking within an experienced team. In fact, Zoe initiated, developed, and launched SSE Smart Buildings new mentorship scheme to ensure each incoming apprentice is paired carefully with an appropriate mentor.
Zoe is also at the forefront of increasing diversity within the sector, hosting SSE Energy Solution’s webinar on women in smart buildings to celebrate International Women in Engineering Day last year. She has also hosted three annual panel events for INWED within the wider building services industry to raise awareness of gender bias.
This willingness to volunteer her help and her confidence in presenting solidified her status as a rising star within SSE Energy Solutions, earning her the internal award of ‘SSE Legend’.
Ruth Carter, CEO at CIBSE, highlighted Zoe’s determination to drive and change the agenda in the sector. She said: “Zoe is a powerhouse within CIBSE’s Young Engineer Network and is engaged, driven, and inspirational. She balances a level of hunger to learn with a fierce passion to drive and change the agenda.
“Her work within the CIBSE London YEN movement has been hugely well received. She represents the new, exciting wave of young engineers taking centre stage, with her technical ability reinforced by strong communication skills.
“CIBSE is delighted to have her setting the bar high for the next wave of world-changing engineers.”
Commenting on the win, Zoe said "There were so many other talented young industry professionals in this category, so it’s absolutely incredible to have been nominated, let alone to have won. It really shows the breadth of talent we have in this industry and underlines why this sector is going to be so crucial moving forward.”